• Toyota launches world’s first mass-production hybrid vehicle, in Japan
• 37,000 sold in Japan before U.S. introduction in 2000.

• Honda releases first hybrid vehicle available in the United States.
• Ends production in September 2006.
• EPA Estimated MPG: 52 (manual) 47 (auto)
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 2 (manual) 6 (auto)
• Recommended reviews of the Insight can be found here.

• After selling 37,000 units in Japan, Toyota launches Prius in U.S.
• EPA Estimated MPG: 41
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 3
• Recommended reviews of the Prius can be found here.

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 41 (lean-burn), 40 (CA-emissions)
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 9 (CA-emissions), 3 (lean-burn)
• Used lean-burn engine technology for models outside of California—boosted mpg but also increased in smog-forming emissions.
• Recommended reviews of the Civic can be found here.

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 46
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 8
• The first hybrid midsize car, the second generation Prius was named 2004 Car of the Year by Motor Trend
• Recommended reviews of the Prius can be found here.

   

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 28-32
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 7
• First hybrid SUV & first American-made hybrid.
• Named North American truck of the year in 2005.
• Recommended reviews of the Escape can be found here.

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 25
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 9
• The Accord sedan is the first mainstream use of hybrid technology to gain "muscle hybrid" status, boosting performance more than fuel economy.  Honda announced it will discontinue the Accord Hybrid after the 2007 model year, citing poor sales.
• 2006 accord gets less fuel economy (25 mpg city/34 mpg highway).
• Honda reports in 4/06 that it may cut production due to sluggish sales.
• Recommended reviews of the Accord can be found here.

GM attempts to greenwash hybrid market with its first "hollow hybrids."  

• Toyota brings hybrid technology to the luxury and midsize SUV segments.
• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 26
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 8
• Toyota brings hybrid technology to luxury SUV market, but is it a “muscle hybrid?”
• Recommended reviews of the RX 400h can be found here.

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 26
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 8
• Questions as to how much fuel economy the Highlander Hybrid gives up for greater power.
• Recommended reviews of the Highlander can be found here. 

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 28-32
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 7
• Ford’s “Tricked Out” version of the Escape Hybrid gets limited 2,000 production in ‘05. Production increases and more fuel efficient FWD version offered in 2006.
• Recommended reviews of the Mariner can be found here.

• EPA Estimated Combined MPG: 42
• EPA Smog Score (10 best): 9
• Significantly redesigned in 2006, the new Civic Hybrid boosts mileage and reduces emissions while providing more “pep.”
• Recommended reviews of the Civic can be found here.

• Est. Combined MPG: 39
• EPA Smog Score: 8
• First Toyota hybrid to be built in America (Kentucky).
• Provides additional “pep” while gaining a 40 percent increase in fuel economy over conventional 4 cylinder model.
• Recommended reviews on the Camry Hybrid can be found here.

• Est. Combined MPG: 26
• EPA Smog Score: 8
• 26mpg EPA estimate falls short of the "high twenties" claims being made before, and is a 28% fuel economy improvement over the conventional gasoline model. 
• Delivers 339 horsepower, equal to the power of a 4.5-liter V8 engine.
• Recommended reviews on the GS 450h can be found here.

• Est. Combined MPG: 34
• EPA Smog Score: 9.5
• What we know: Built in Tennessee, only available for sale in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California, mostly to help meet the tighter emissions requirements that all of these states have adopted.
• Recommended reviews on the Altima Hybrid can be found here.

• Est. Combined MPG: 21
• EPA Smog Score: 8
• The LS 600h L sedan will be even more muscular than the GS 450h muscle hybrid, boasting the world's first full hybrid V8 powertrain, and a price tag of over $100,000. It combines a 5-liter gasoline direct-injection V8 with large, high-output electric motors and a newly-designed battery pack to deliver more than 330 kW (442 hp) of total system power.
• Recommended reviews on the Altima Hybrid can be found here.

• Est. release date: Fall 2007
• What we know: GM is to introduce first genuine hybrids with Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrid. The 2006 conventional Tahoe 2WD gets an estimated 17mpg. GM is saying that its “dual mode” hybrid system, based on the hybrid system used in its hybrid passenger buses, will deliver approximately 25 percent better fuel economy. GM attaching the hybrid system to a 6.0 liter V8 engine, larger and thirstier than the 5.3 liter engine of their conventional Yukon/Tahoe models–the very definition of a "muscle hybrid." 

• Est. Combined MPG: 28-32
• EPA Smog Score: 7
• Tribute is based on Ford Escape Hybrid drivetrain. Includes a built-in tire pressure monitor. 
• Recommended reviews on the Altima Hybrid can be found here.

• Est. release date: 2007
• What we know: Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrids will be Chrysler’s first hybrids.  It will use GM’s “dual-mode” hybrid system now that Daimler-Chrysler has a hybrid technology sharing agreement with General Motors and BMW.  It also looks to be a "muscle hybrid," using engine upsizing like Yukon/Tahoe Hybrids.  Their engine, however, will be a 5.7 liter V8 Hemi (the smaller 4.7 liter engine comprised the majority of Durango sales in 2005 in both FWD and 4WD categories), slightly smaller than the Yukon/Tahoe Hybrids' 6.0 liter.